 Today’s Gaggle of Chicks deal got me thinking… about germs. Eww. The deal is 50% off fruit and veggie wash ($15 for $30). YES, the idea of a multitude of hands and pollutants touching my food grosses me out when I really think about it. I usually rinse my produce with tap water and dry with a clean dish towel, but beyond that? Am I willing to spend $15 on fruit and veggie wash? Hmm.
What do you do to clean your produce? Do you purchase a wash product? Do you have a natural solution that costs less?
Help me out here, please. :)
This post contains my referral link. Please see my disclosure policy.
 Do you know if you’re a member/subscriber of one of the following 18 West Michigan arts & culture organizations that you’re entitled to a FREE Culture Pass GR? Show the card and save with special discounts at participating locations. Go here to see current Culture Pass GR offers. (For example, $1.00 off general admission at the GRAM.)
- Devos Performance Hall
- Grand Rapids Ballet Company
- Grand Rapids Symphony
- Circle Theatre
- Opera Grand Rapids
- St. Cecelia Music Center
- John Ball Zoo
- Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
- Van Andel Arena
- Actors’ Theatre
- Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Art Museum
- Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
- UICA
- Gerald R. Ford Museum & Library
- Grand Rapids Public Museum
- Broadway Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
The website states the Culture Pass GR is automatically mailed annually, but some members have indicated to me they’ve had to request it from the organization they’re a member of and pick it up. In any case, it’s FREE to members and passes are also available for purchase.
Disclosure: I received a FREE Culture Pass GR, but was not asked to write this post. I just wanted to share the potential for savings with you!
 Today only 4/20/11, get FREE shipping on your order of $25 or more from Bath & Body Works when you use code FREE25.
The Signature Collection is currently Buy 3, Get 3 FREE, so you could get 6 full-sized items shipped to you for as low as $31.50 + tax. Use Ebates to get 3% cash back!
Don’t forget to shop through Ebates for 3% cash back, log in (or create an account for a $5 sign-up bonus!), type Bath & Body Works into the search box, and shop through the new window that opens. *If you’re not familiar with Ebates or Shop at Home, please read this tutorial on cash back sites.
My goodness, how far ahead are we going to get holiday-specific deals? On the other hand, take them when you can get them, right? :)
Ebates is offering many double cash back deals in honor of Mother’s Day:
 If you’re not familiar with cash back sites, please read my tutorial.
This post contains my referral link. Please see my disclosure policy.
I just went out on my lunch break and picked up the cleaning supplies deal at Rite Aid. Spend $30 on participating products and get a $10 UPR+ reward. My final price was $4.49 for all the products shown (34¢ each). Here’s how you can do it, too:
Ziploc Containers 2/$5
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 4/3 SS
Final Price $1.75 ea wyb 2
Ziploc Slider Bags 2/$5
Use $1/2 coupon from 4/3 SS
Also use $1/1 RAVV coupon (you only get one of these)
Final Price $1.50 ea wyb 2
Finish Dishwasher Tabs $6.79, BOGO FREE
Use (2) $1.75/1 printable from facebook (print 2 when you refresh screen)
Final Price $1.63 ea wyb 2
Dixie Plates $3.99, BOGO FREE
Use $2/2 RAVV coupon
Final Price $1.00 ea wyb 2
Lysol Products 2/$5
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 4/17 S
Use $1/1 coupon from 4/17 SS
Also use $1/1 RAVV coupon
Final Price $1.13 ea wyb 2
Baking Soda $0.59
I split this into 2 transactions. I used a $3/$15 coupon from the receipt survey and the $2/$10 RAVV cleaning supplies bonus coupon. OOP was $14.49 and I received the $10 UPR+ making my final cost only $4.49.
Before TLC’s Extreme Couponing show aired, I wrote this about the translation of Extreme Couponing in West Michigan. The most popular question folks were asking me after they watched the show was, “what stores double coupons in West Michigan?” The answer: they don’t. Let’s talk about why.
1. We don’t have the competition here. The nearest grocery stores doubling coupons are in Howell. (Hastings Family Fare has recently discontinued double coupons.) There’s a Kroger store there which doubles up to $1.00. In response, the local Meijer and the local Spartan store (VG’s) also double. Each store has strict policies and guidelines, so be sure to check them out if you’re planning a trip.
2. What does it mean when a store doubles coupons? Coupons redeemed at a grocery store are submitted by the store to the manufacturer. The manufacturer reimburses the store for the face value of the coupon. IF a store is doubling coupons, the store has decided to match the value of that coupon. It is their own promotion.
For example, the reason you can pair a BOGO coupon with a BOGO sale at Rite Aid to get 2 items for FREE is because the manufacturer is giving you one FREE when you buy the item the store decided to give you for FREE in their sale. Make sense?
3. Stores adjust prices to compensate for double coupons. In my experience making the trip to Howell, I found that the price of items before coupons was higher than here in West Michigan. After double coupons, the item was definitely more affordable, but I might have gotten a similar deal by timing my purchases right with our own sales.
4. Road trip to a double coupon location? It’s been a while, but I’ve done it. Things to consider:
- Current gas prices – They were much lower when I made the trip. I saved over $80, but I spent $20 on gas. With current gas prices, you’re probably better off shopping the West Michigan grocery deals. Besides, farmers markets will be here before we know it!
- The value of your own time – Is it worth the 3+ hour round trip to save $60? I personally would consider that paying myself $20 per hour. Plus I have the added value of telling you all about my adventures. ;)
- The number of coupons you have in your stash – You need a LOT of high-value coupons to make it worth your time. Most store guidelines limit you to doubling no more than 3 like coupons, so it’s difficult to add up your savings unless you’re buying a wide variety of items.
Any questions or feedback? Has someone made a road trip solely for double couponing and found it to be well worth their while? Please share with us in the comments section.
Save on Spartan brand items with the Turn to Spartan coupons valid at any Spartan store (Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s, Tom’s Food, Glen’s Market.)
Here are the best prices at D&W Fresh Market this week. I won’t personally do all of these deals for the Food Budget Challenge — they’re just what I see in the ad.
Best Prices this Week:
MOST of the sale items this week are the same as Family Fare. Here are a few things I saw in the ad that are different (and good savings!).
Spartan Bagged Cereal – 33% off
Use $1/2 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price ? wyb 2
Heinz Ketchup 40 oz, $2.00
Use $2/1 printable coupon (if you were able to print it yesterday)
Final Price FREE
Spartan Side Dishes (Mashed Potatoes 24 oz), $2.50
Use $1/1 Turn to Spartan coupon
Final Price $1.50
Aunt Millie’s Homestyle Bread $3.39, BOGO FREE
Final Price $1.70 ea wyb 2
Note: Our stores do not double coupons.
Not sure about the lingo? Read this. Don’t have the coupons you need? Order some. Still need help? Look here or ask me in the comments!
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Today’s Gaggle of Chicks deal got me thinking… about germs. Eww. The deal is 50% off fruit and veggie wash ($15 for $30). YES, the idea of a multitude of hands and pollutants touching my food grosses me out when I really think about it. I usually rinse my produce with tap water and dry with a clean dish towel, but beyond that? Am I willing to spend $15 on fruit and veggie wash? Hmm.
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